French manager Didier Deschamps has always had a liking for Moussa Sissoko, and even when he was not playing well at Newcastle, he was included in the French squad.
The best Moussa played was when Rafa Benitez arrived, and the manager quickly picked him out as a leading player for Newcastle in the relegation battle two years ago.
To be fair to Moussa, he played exceptionally well culminating in a fabulous performance in the last game against Tottenham.
It was partly because of the performance that Pochettino paid out a massive £30M for the French midfielder.
And then, of course, he looked a different player for France in Euro2016, and that was down to the coaching of Rafa Benitez.
Moussa Sissoko – in Spurs’ colors
He was signed by Spurs 19 months ago £30M in the bank for Newcastle) and looked terrible in the first season but has performed better since then.
This is what Didier Deschamps has said about Sissoko to SFR Sport:
“One just has to look at the Euro final to see what Moussa Sissoko is capable of.
“I like Moussa Sissoko, he is not my teacher’s pet, but I would say that Moussa is the prototype of a soldier.
“He has gone from Toulouse to working under Pochettino, even if with the latter it was initially a little difficult.
“He does not complain, whether he plays 2 minutes, 10 minutes, 20 minutes or starts the match…
“Moussa Sissoko is very well liked by his team-mates and feared by his opponents.”
The thing that irritated Newcastle fans was whenever he sent away with the French squad he always talked about joining a bigger club than Newcastle.
We think that is we could have survived relegation two years ago Rafa could have continued to get the best out of the 28-year-old.
But £30M for Moussa two years ago was also a steal for us – as Spurs quickly found out.
And we’ll finish be saying some Newcastle fans were utterly delirious that we got so much for a player who was inconsistent at best for us.
Comments welcome.
104 comments so far
Munster Mag
Feb 21, 2018 at 3:58 PM
Comment #1It’s rare that we pull the pants down of any club, but that was sweet.
Essex Geordie Bill
Feb 21, 2018 at 4:10 PM
Comment #2It will be when they pay the final installment on him!
Rob1971
Feb 21, 2018 at 4:16 PM
Comment #3Munster why the dig at Rafa over Lazaar? We are on the back of a great win over Man Utd with a Man of the Match performance from the keeper who Rafa brought in and excellent performances from the other new boy Kenedy yet you have a dig at Rafa over Lazaar, every manager buys duds, Robson did when he was manager here, Gavilan, Bramble, Cort, you seem to delight in criticising every chance you get, even after an excellent win
Rob1971
Feb 21, 2018 at 4:18 PM
Comment #4Munster we did the same with Liverpool when they signed Carroll, permanently crocked and they spent £30 odd million
lesh
Feb 21, 2018 at 4:32 PM
Comment #5Tsunki
From a few threads back……
I have no problem with you referencing SD in your avatar. As you say, its use is intended as satire and that’s evident by your criticisms of Ashley. However, not everyone might see it that way.
The point I was trying to make, albeit unsuccessfully, was that posters’ avatars are their choice and as long as they’re not indecent or offensive to public decency, then so be it, let them use what they want. In the case of someone using Corbyn’s picture, his ugly mug appears on the media most days along with those of other politicians of various persuasions who may or may not be to individuals’ liking. So what
I’m fully expecting to see some posters using the likes of Farage, Powell, Trump and if they do and it floats their boat, let them get on with it.
As an aside, Jib’s helpful support of your post was priceless given his enthusiasm for stirring the pot.
Mister Tuff
Feb 21, 2018 at 4:33 PM
Comment #6Rafa and Tubbs/Junior Tubbs conversation.
” Can we bid for the player at the top of my list” Answer : “No he’s too expensive”.
“Well what about the player second on my list “. Answer ” No he’s too expensive as well”.
“Well what about the player third on my list”. Answer ” No he’s too expensive as well”.
“Well what about the player fouth on my list”. Answer ” No he wants too much in wages”.
“Well what about the last one on my list ” Answer ” Yes we’ve already put a bid in – they want £5million but we’ve started of with a bid of half a million.
Munster – that’s how it currently works at SJP.
lesh
Feb 21, 2018 at 4:35 PM
Comment #7Ed
Something tells me it was Levy rather than Pochettino who pushed to sign Sissoko. Maybe I’m wrong….
Jib
Feb 21, 2018 at 4:47 PM
Comment #8A new name to play with
the French media are linking us
strongly with Marseilles midfielder
Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa
https://le10sport.com/football/mercato/mercato-om-vers-une-incroyable-plus-value-pour-ce-cadre-de-garcia-359272
Mister Tuff
Feb 21, 2018 at 4:47 PM
Comment #9Mr Tubbs …………………….OOT
Junior Tubbs………………..OOT
Avatar Provocateurs & apparatchiks…………………………OOT
Those promoting ram fighting…………….OOT
(next it will be bear baiting, dog fighting and cock fighting).
Loony lefties…………………………………….OOT
Essex Geordie Bill
Feb 21, 2018 at 5:17 PM
Comment #10Don’t forget that he was one of the stars for France in the world cup outshining Pogba, but his heart was never in our team.
Isn’t actually playing to badly for Spurs at the moment.
Essex Geordie Bill
Feb 21, 2018 at 5:19 PM
Comment #11Still rather have Diame’s twin brother on current form though.
Jib
Feb 21, 2018 at 5:30 PM
Comment #12Bill
When Spurs play the 4 – 1 – 4 – 1 formation
Sissoko plays a sort of old fashioned inside
right role and is quite good.
He set up Lucas with a nicely weighted short
pass for Spurs first goal vs Rochdale.
dazza
Feb 21, 2018 at 6:04 PM
Comment #13Still wish we had kept him. Better than what we’ve got.
Think he would make a stand out fullback.
Jib
Feb 21, 2018 at 6:13 PM
Comment #14Nah it was never going to happen
The championship was way beneath
his dignity
Jib
Feb 21, 2018 at 6:18 PM
Comment #15A bit like Jail banging on about
Andros Townsend
No matter how Jail chirruped on
it was a non starter.
GeordieTwo
Feb 21, 2018 at 6:56 PM
Comment #16I have a good feeling about our chances against Bournemouth. That’s a bit ominous. I never predict results now as I feel it’s bad luck. Still, there is that good feeling lingering…..
Ron Knee
Feb 21, 2018 at 7:01 PM
Comment #17Banish it once then, G2!
Bigjim67
Feb 21, 2018 at 7:02 PM
Comment #18In his own mind, Sissoko was far too good to be at NUFC. Think he may have been an unsettling influence in the dressing room aswell, good riddance and thanks for the £30m.
Ron Knee
Feb 21, 2018 at 7:11 PM
Comment #19Correction: Banish it at once …
GeordieTwo
Feb 21, 2018 at 7:11 PM
Comment #20Done Ron!
GeordieTwo
Feb 21, 2018 at 7:14 PM
Comment #21That Callum Wilson needs watching mind.
GeordieTwo
Feb 21, 2018 at 7:15 PM
Comment #22I think you’re right Bigjim. His heed swelling may have come down a bit by now.
Belfast
Feb 21, 2018 at 7:16 PM
Comment #23Here here Lesh. Harumph!!
GeordieTwo
Feb 21, 2018 at 7:26 PM
Comment #24Did you help the Rooskies Jeremy? “Nyet comrade!”
GeordieTwo
Feb 21, 2018 at 7:27 PM
Comment #25You forgot to mention wor very own Justin Trudeau lesh. Never mind I forgive you. I try not to mention him either.
GeordieTwo
Feb 21, 2018 at 7:28 PM
Comment #26Jeremy is looking very fit Belfast…. Is that the Black Sea in the background?
GeordieTwo
Feb 21, 2018 at 7:34 PM
Comment #27Personally I like Corbyn but the I am leftward leaning. Sometimes in fact I fall over if the wind suddenly quits….
GeordieTwo
Feb 21, 2018 at 7:35 PM
Comment #28but then I am left leaning. Harrumph.
GeordieTwo
Feb 21, 2018 at 7:36 PM
Comment #29But back to footy. What will Rafa’s cunning plan be for the Cherries?
GeordieTwo
Feb 21, 2018 at 7:38 PM
Comment #30Let’s pluck them early! Pit them and leave them feeling hollow. Huzzah!!!!
GeordieTwo
Feb 21, 2018 at 7:47 PM
Comment #31You’ve got a very fine and pointy point there dazza. I think he would make a very good fullback as well. Has it been tried by anyone he’s played for over an extended period I wonder. Has pace and size. Can get up and down the pitch well. We could use him now alright but Ashley was drooling all over himself when he got his 30M asking price.
Belfast
Feb 21, 2018 at 7:55 PM
Comment #32It was Croydon baths G2 and Jezza was walking on water. Harumph!
AncientC
Feb 21, 2018 at 7:57 PM
Comment #33Mister ‘Tuff’, who was promoting ram fighting? It was interesting article in regards to Algerian culture, with Slimani being Algerian himself. I found it rather humorous myself. You should look up the definition of “promoting,” you may learn something.
Instead of the juvenile “OOT” posts, you are welcome to leave the blog if you are unhappy with calibre of posters on the blog. It is your choice if you post or not, but try behaving like an adult. Your “OOT” posts are nowhere near as funny as you seem to believe. While you are guffawing to yourself after posting childish statements like that, most people are responding in the *derp* manner and shaking their heads.
No insult intended, just trying to give you some constructive criticism. I don’t normally agree with Jib, but it truly is a rarity that you talk football on here… perhaps that is something to do with your Sunderland final print that still adorns your wall ^_^.
AncientC
Feb 21, 2018 at 7:58 PM
Comment #34Perhaps some of you should watch the Andrew Neil interview from today, then you can finally put this nonsense to bed once and for all.
Belfast
Feb 21, 2018 at 8:04 PM
Comment #35Mitrovic has just scored for Fulham.
Pre warning that Manxpie will be on later for an argument.
chicousa
Feb 21, 2018 at 8:04 PM
Comment #36Mitrovic just scored his first goal for Fulham. Only 19 more to go to hit Rafa’s target number for him!
jane
Feb 21, 2018 at 8:05 PM
Comment #37tap in from 2 yds into empty net
AncientC
Feb 21, 2018 at 8:06 PM
Comment #38Doesn’t Mitrovic already have 2 this season for Newcastle. If you include those goals, it looks like he will end the season with more goals than any of our lot. And the guy has barely played this season as it stands.
Belfast
Feb 21, 2018 at 8:08 PM
Comment #39I actually fancy Fulham to come up to be honest. Probably via the playoffs.
manxpie
Feb 21, 2018 at 8:16 PM
Comment #40live stream of fulham game if anyones interested
https://twitter.com/The_Grizzlers/status/966397905106948096